Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Gilbert, AZ
estate planning built around every stage of life in Gilbert
Gilbert is home to a wide mix of residents, from young families to retirees settling into one of the town’s active adult communities. Fleming & Monroe works with Gilbert clients at every stage of life, whether that means creating a first will after a home purchase or updating a trust before a move to a 55+ community. As a firm serving Gilbert and the surrounding East Valley, we take the time to understand where you are in life before recommending a plan.
Our estate planning services include living trusts, wills, trust funding services, financial powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, advance directives, beneficiary property deeds, beneficiary designations, and related party deeds.
1. Understand
Everyone’s circumstances are different, with unique goals, family dynamics, and concerns when it comes to estate planning.
During this first step, we take the time to ask thoughtful, detailed questions so we can fully understand your needs and wishes. Whether you are seeking an estate planning attorney in Gilbert, AZ, our goal is to ensure your estate plan reflects your individual situation and provides clarity and confidence for the future.
2. Draft
With a clear understanding of your goals, we begin drafting the customized documents that will be included in your estate plan.
We work closely with you throughout the drafting process, explaining each document and how it functions within your overall plan. As experienced Arizona estate planning attorneys, we ensure your documents are professionally written, comprehensive, and fully compliant with Arizona law.
3. Refine and Review
Once your estate plan is drafted, we provide the customized documents for your review.
We incorporate any changes you request and return the revised documents for approval. Throughout the refinement process, we answer questions, make recommendations when helpful, and accommodate revisions so your estate plan aligns with your expectations and long-term goals.
4. Result
Once the documents are approved, we set up a time to meet with you and get the documents signed and notarized.
It is rewarding to see our clients leave with peace of mind and a fully effective estate plan that protects against the unknowns and ensures that their legacy is protected.
Why Gilbert Families and Retirees Choose FlEMING & MONROE
At Fleming & Monroe, we believe estate planning should be personal and built around your life, not a one-size-fits-all template. Gilbert clients come to us at very different stages, and our approach adjusts accordingly.
Our approach focuses on:
• Experience helping Gilbert retirees and downsizers review and update a trust before or after a move to an active adult community
• Straightforward guidancer for Gilbert families building a first estate plan, including naming a guardian for minor children
• Flat-fee estate planning so you know the cost upfront
• Free consultations available in person, by phone, or by Zoom
If you are looking for an estate planning attorney in Gilbert, AZ, whether you’re just starting a family or planning your next chapter, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estate planning helps answer two important questions. First, what happens to your assets when you pass away. To address this, Fleming & Monroe, PLC prepares a Last Will and Testament and, when appropriate, a Revocable Trust.
Second, what happens if you are unable to make decisions on your own. In these situations, we create a Durable Financial Power of Attorney, Healthcare Power of Attorney, and Living Will. If you are asking either of these questions, our estate planning attorneys can guide you through a clear and straightforward process.
An estate plan typically includes a Last Will and Testament, Financial Power of Attorney, Healthcare Power of Attorney, and Living Will. Depending on your situation, a trust may also be included. These estate planning documents outline your wishes for asset distribution, medical decisions, and financial management.
A will is a legal document that explains how your assets should be distributed after death. It allows you to name beneficiaries, appoint a personal representative, and designate guardians for minor children. A will must go through probate, which not only can be time-consuming and costly but also becomes public record.
A trust is a legal arrangement that holds and manages assets during your lifetime and after death. Trusts help avoid probate, maintain privacy, and give more control over how and when assets are distributed.
Fleming & Monroe, PLC helps clients decide whether a will, a trust, or both are appropriate based on their specific estate planning needs.
The cost of estate planning depends on your specific needs and whether you work with an attorney or attempt to do it on your own. At Fleming & Monroe, PLC, estate planning fees typically range from $500 to $2,500, depending on the complexity of your estate plan and the documents involved.
While it is possible to create some estate planning documents on your own, working with an experienced estate planning attorney helps ensure your plan is legally valid and tailored to your needs. Fleming & Monroe, PLC helps clients navigate estate planning laws and avoid common mistakes.
It is a good idea to review your estate plan periodically and after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant financial changes. Fleming & Monroe, PLC helps clients update their estate planning documents so their plans continue to reflect their wishes.
It can, especially if the move involves selling a home that was named in your trust, changing how property is titled, or updating beneficiary designations. We regularly help Gilbert clients review their estate plan around a move to a 55+ community to make sure everything still reflects their current situation.
An estate plan typically includes a Last Will and Testament, Financial Power of Attorney, Healthcare Power of Attorney, and Living Will. Depending on your situation, a trust may also be included. These estate planning documents outline your wishes for asset distribution, medical decisions, and financial management.
Without a will or trust, Arizona’s intestacy laws determine who inherits your property, which may not match what you actually want. Your home would typically need to go through probate, a court-supervised process that can take months and becomes part of the public record. Putting a plan in place lets you decide who receives your home and how, rather than leaving it to state default rules.
Look for an attorney who focuses on estate planning specifically, is upfront about fees, and takes time to understand your situation rather than offering a generic package. Meeting with a couple of attorneys before deciding is common practice, and we offer a free consultation so you can ask questions before committing to anything.
A typical estate plan includes a Last Will and Testament, Financial Power of Attorney, Healthcare Power of Attorney, and Living Will, with a Revocable Living Trust added when it fits your goals. We build each Gilbert client’s package around their actual assets and family situation rather than a fixed template.